Swimmers at top of ECAC

Bring on the NCAAs.

A few short weeks away from the NCAA Championships, several Pitt… Bring on the NCAAs.

A few short weeks away from the NCAA Championships, several Pitt swimmers competed in the ECAC Championship Meet at Trees Pool over the weekend and turned in top performances.

“This meet is used in a variety of ways,” assistant coach Marian Clark said. “This is a last-chance opportunity to tune up for the NCAAs. We wanted to see where we were and work through some things. Also, several swimmers wanted to compete in events they hadn’t during the season.”

On the women’s side, junior Kathy Siuda finished second to Seton Hall’s Ashley Johnson in the 200-yard individual medley with a time of 2:07.46. One day later, Siuda once again finished second to Johnson, this time in the 400-yard IM, with a time of 4:26.95.

In the 50-yard freestyle, freshman Stacie Safritt finished in 24.15 seconds, which was also good enough for second place. Safritt later finished second to teammate and NCAA hopeful Kristin Brown (51.84) in the 100-yard freestyle with a time of 52.61 seconds.

The men’s only qualifying participant, junior Jeff Leath, took first place in the 200-yard backstroke at 1:49.74.

The men’s swimming and diving team also received some good news prior to the meet this weekend. The Panthers, who finished 10-2 on the season and claimed second in the Big East Championships, received votes to become one of only two Big East teams to be recognized in the CSCAA top 25 poll.

“They worked hard all year,” Clark said. “One of their goals was to be back in the top 25.”

Divers will compete in the NCAA Zone Meet March 9, 10 and 11. Qualifying swimmers and divers will then compete in the NCAA Championships in Athens, Ga. The women’s championships will be held on March 16, 17 and 18, while the men will compete March 23, 24 and 25.